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Timmy O’Neille scouts a class 5 rapid at the confluence of El Rio Baker and El Rio Neff in the film “Power in the Pristine.” This waterfall would become a reservoir if a possible dam is built in the Patagonia region of South America. Photo courtesy jamesQmartin.com

Issues surrounding rivers and watersheds are the primary focus of this year’s Wild & Scenic Film Festival hosted by the Western Colorado Congress.

The film festival with seven films, two being very short, will begin at 7 p.m. — doors open at 6 p.m. — Saturday, March 26, at Avalon Theatre, 645 Main St.

The feature film will be “Power in the Pristine,” which focuses on two of the last rivers without dams in the Patagonia region of South America and the possible affect of dams on those rivers.

Other films to be shown during the two-hour festival are: “Ascending the Giants” about Oregon’s Sitka Spruce trees; “A Simple Question: The Story of S.T.R.A.W.” about the relationship between the Stemple Creek Watershed in Northern California and a fourth-grade class project; “Brower Youth Award” about Marcus Grignon of the Meominee Nation; and “Open Space” about open space in the West, according to the festival’s website, http://www.wccongress.org/films2011.html.

Two additional short films, one being an excerpt from “Love That River,” also will be shown. “Love That River” was shot locally about the Riverfront Trail system along the Colorado River. The other short film is about the efforts to create a National Conservation Area in the Gateway region along the Dolores River.

None of the films included in the festival are longer than 30 minutes.

The Western Colorado Congress is a community group whose members work to promote environmental stewardship, among other things.

The group will be having a membership drive at the film festival. Those who attend can get a reduced membership rate of $10 to join Western Colorado Congress. It normally is $35 annually.

Tickets to the film festival cost $7 in advance or $10 at the door. Advance tickets are available at Whitewater West, 418 S. Seventh St.; Summit Canyon Mountaineering, 461 Main St.; and the Western Colorado Congress’ website, http://www.wccongress.org.